Benchmark LA4

[Denver]

On Friday, I received a Benchmark LA4 line amp. It is mated to my Benchmark ahb2, which i’ve had for a little over a year. First impression is very good. With a new Van Alstine phono preamp and Benchmark cables, it’s too early for a detailed impression.

[Randy Myers]

We have a rule... we need pictures ... Ok, not a rule, we just like them.

[Denver]

https://benchmarkmedia.com/collectio...line-amplifier

Since my black LA4 is in a cabinet, it doesn’t photo very well.

This is a improvement across the entire spectrum. Texture and a much better 3-D image are the most obvious so far.

Patrick

[4N6]

Congratulations on the new pre-amp! What did you upgrade from?

I have been looking seriously at the headphone amp version of that preamp (HPA4) so am very interested in your impressions.

[Denver]

The LA4 has now been plugged in for about a month. It has replaced my 2 year old Audio by Van Alstine T10 Rb tube preamp. I was happy with this preamp until I went to RMAF in October. Since I already had the Benchmark ahb2, I had to check out the LA4. My two sources are a turntable with a moving coil cartridges, and a CD player. A Benchmark DAC will be added later this year.
I also had to purchase some Benchmark interconnects, and a AVA phono preamp.
The Sound? My music preferences are Classical, R&R, and Big band. The imaging on my system was good, not great. What do I point my finger at-room, components, speakers? Not anymore! The 3D imaging is now almost palpable. Not only can I hear left to right, the front to rear is awesome. The front imaging is now in front of my Salk Songtowers.
A part of the imaging is that there is much more music coming thru my speakers.
The texture of stringed instruments is much more obvious now.
With only about a month on these new pieces, I am still expecting more improvement.
Benchmark says the LA4 and the Ahb2 are a perfect match. I agree!

[dubkarma]

Well, I'm going to take a chance and order an LA4, possibly to replace my 18 year old Boulder 1012.

I've already been satisfied with switching from "audiophile" power amps (Bryston, McCormack, VTL, Pass Labs) to pro amps (Crown K2 for LF, Yamaha P7000S for MF/HF) and "home theatre" amps (D-Sonic), so am keeping an open mind!